China Train Ticket FAQs

How to buy a train ticket with us?

Most of international tourists would like to arrange a China not only by flight but by train, because touring in China by train is cheaper and more convenient than by flight. However, it is not an easy process for the international tourists to buy a train ticket ( troublesome registration procedure online, long queues at stations, sold out quickly, language problem, etc. ). Therefore, Beijing Holiday offer train ticket online booking service which can handle all your trouble and ensure you get the best service.

Easy booking steps:
Step 1: Search for a train with our real-time train ticket search system.
Step 2: Fill out the enquiry form and upload your passport.
Step 3: Get a response from one of our consultants within 24 hours.
Step 4: Make the payment and receive the confirmation email.
Step 5: We can deliver the tickets to your designated place.

How to collect your train ticket?

If you book a China tour with the train ticket from an online travel agency like our Beijing Holiday, it is easy and convenient to get your train ticket.
1. Our tour guide or driver deliver your train ticket to your hand, when you need us to arrange your guide service, or just need car rental without tour guide.
2. Our local travel company can offer ticket delivery repayable service, and deliver your train ticket to your designated place: hotel, airport, train station, etc.
3. Beijing Holiday travel agency can send your train ticket to your hotel via the fastest and safest Express in China, such as SF Express ( Shun Feng Su Yun 顺丰速运 ) and Sto Express ( Shentong Kuaidi 申通快递 ), only for those booking more than 8 days in advance.

How to choose the train type in China?

China trains can be classified by the speed and service, represented by the train letters like G, D, C, Z, T, K and no letter. The letters stand for different classes.

They have the following 3 advantages:
1. Fast: High-speed Trains run much faster than the normal ones ( Z, T, K trains and ordinary trains). Normally, most of them run at an operational speed of 250-400 km/h, though the highest design speed can be over 400km/h.
2. Punctual: High-speed Trains operate with less influence by bad weather, and they arrive at the stations on time.
3. Comfortable and Convenient: The facilities on the trains are well equipped and better to meet international passengers' demands and the seats are more comfortable. The trains are operated by advanced technological communication systems.

They have the 3 categories:1. G Trains - Gaotie
G series trains use CRH ( China Railway High-speed ) railways. They are the fastest running for long distance in China, with the speed reaching 250-400 km/h, but the prices are the highest accordingly.

2. D Trains - Dongche
D series trains also use CRH railways. They are next fastest with a maximum speed of 250km/h, and also most expensive.

The facilities of G and D series trains are similar, all new and modern. Some gets you real Western standards: spacious and comfortable seats, clean and bright compartments, polite and English-speaking crew, and totally non-smoking clean air.

3. C Trains - Chengji Lieche
C series trains operate frequently between two cities in the same province or not too far way from each other, like Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway, Chengdu-Dujiangyan Intercity Railway.

B. Regular Train
China regular trains includes Z trains, T trains, K trains and no-letter trains. They have the similar appearance, inner facilities and prices of a same class seat.

1. Z Trains - Zhida Lieche
Z trains are usually known as overnight trains like Beijing-Harbin Z1, Beijing-Xian Z43, with top speed of 160 km/h. It is an efficient transport for long-distance travel. Generally speaking, they run directly to the destination or with some stops on the way.

2. T Trains - Tekuai Lieche
T Trains run at the top speed of 140km/h, and have a limited stops on the routes, mainly in these major cities. All the major cities with railways can be reached by taking T trains. Almost each T-series train is equipped with soft-sleeper, hard-sleeper, soft-seat and hard-seat. All carriages have air-condition and toilet.

3. K Trains - Kuaisu Lieche
K Trains run at the top speed of 120 km/h and have more stops than the T-series trains. Besides stopping at cities, they will also stop at main counties along the way. Almost each K-series train is equipped with soft-sleeper, hard-sleeper, soft-seat and hard-seat. All carriages have air-condition and toilet.

4. No-letter trains
The numbers are identified with four digits and usually start with 1, 2, 4 or 5. Its top speed is 120 km/h, but it runs slower than the K-series as a result of more stops on the way. Currently, most of them are equipped with air-condition.

How to choose the seat class in China?

1. Business-class seats
Business-class seats are the most luxurious and expensive seats on some, but not all, of high-speed trains ( G trains and D trains ). They are just like first-class on an airplane. The field of vision allows great views. The carriages are spacious with two meters (6.6 feet) of space between two rows. There are three seats in row - two on one side and one on the other side of the aisle.

The carriages are equipped with complete facilities. The sofa-like leather seats are comfortable and can turn 360 degrees. The backs can be folded down for sleeping. A mini LED TV set with many movies is folded in the left arm of each seat, and there is a power outlet under each seat. A tray table is hidden in the arm of each seat. Some trains also offer free snacks, drinks, disposable slippers, back cushions and blankets.

Usually, there is a sightseeing area with five reclining chairs in the business-class carriage. Passengers can enjoy the beautiful scenery on the way through the extra large windows.

2. VIP seats
VIP carriages are usually set behind the operation cab on some high-speed trains ( G trains and C trains ) instead of business-class carriages. They are very comfortable with enough space and good facilities. There are also 3 chairs in a row - two on one side and one one the other side of the aisle. The seats can be turn 360 degrees and can be tilted back. Reading lamps, radio and video facilities are equipped around each seat.

3. First-class seats
The first-class carriage offers four first-class seats in a row - two on either side of the aisle. The seats are roomy and soft, and can be turn 360 degrees. The seat back can be adjusted to the comfortable angle. A small foldable table in the arm of each seat. A foldable footrest is set under the seat and a small pillow is attached to the back. Electric power is also available on the first-class seats.

G trains, D trains and C trains all have the first-class seats. The chairs in each row are numbered A, C, D and F. A and F are aside the windows, and C and D are aside the aisle.

4. Second-class seats
The second-class carriage offers five second-class seats in a row - three on one side of the aisle and two on the other. The space is just like economy-class on airplane. The each can turn 360 degrees. A foldable tray table attached to the adjustable seat back. It is the cheapest seat on the high-speed trains.

G trains, D trains and C trains all have the second-class seats. The chairs in each row are numbered A, B,C, D and F. A, B and C are on the three-seat side with A by the window, B in the middle and C by the aisle; D and F are on the two-seat side with D by the aisle and F by the window.

5. Luxury Soft Sleeper
In addition to the comfortable seats, there are also luxury soft sleeper berths on regular trains like Beijing-Xian Z43, Beijing-Harbin Z15, Beijing-Shanghai T109 and some long-distance high-speed trains, like Shanghai-Chengdu D 352 train. A luxury soft sleeper compartment has two berths - one upper and one lower, a table, a sofa, a closet and an independent toilet. There are also lighting, air conditioner, volume, TV and calling buttons in a luxury soft sleeper compartment.

6. Soft Sleeper
Most international travellers would like to choose soft sleeper, which is a comfortable and affordable way to travel in China. In a soft sleeper compartment, there are four berths - two upper and two lower, a small table between two lower berths, a thermos, a tray for litter, LCD TV, lighting and air conditioner control buttons inlaid on the wall of the compartment. The berth is 75cm wide and 190cm long. In addition, you can push the calling button in the compartment, and the attendants are always ready to help you.

Soft sleeper berths are equipped in the Z trains, T trains, K trains and some long-distance D train. There is no luggage closet in the soft sleeper compartment, and you need place your luggage under the table or the lower berths.

7. Hard Sleeper
Hard Sleeper is generally less comfortable than the soft sleeper. In a hard compartment, there are 6 berths - two upper, two middle and two lower. Passengers on the middle and the upper berths can hardly sit up straight, because the head spaces are only about 70cm.

8. Soft Seats
The size of Soft Seats is between the first and second class seats, about 45cm wide. There are soft seats in D trains, like Chengdu-Qingchengshan D6107, D6111, D6113, D6119, etc. Soft Seats are also available in a few K trains, T trans, Z trains and No-letter trains. There are four seats in a row with two on both sides of the aisle.

9. Hard Seats
It is the cheapest way to take a hard seat for your tour. The seats are hard, and have less room, about only 40cm width with any armrest between each other, therefore it is uncomfortable than soft seats. In addition, the carriages of hard seats are always noisy and crowed with passengers, especially during peak season and public holiday, like Summer Vacation, National Day and Chinese New Year. Hard seats are also available Z trains, T trains, K trains and No-letter trains.

10. Tickets for Standing Room ( Wuzuo )
When the tickets are sold out, Z trains, T trains, K trains and No-letter trains will offer the tickets for standing room. Sometime, such tickets are available in D trains, like Chengdu-Qingchengshan D Trains; Beijing-Shanghai D313, D311, D321; Shanghai-Wenzhou D 379, D 2287, D3201, etc. The price is the same as that of the second-class seat on the same train.

1. Read your ticket carefully and check your departure train station
On the ticket, it writes clearly which station to depart and which station to arrive. Many cities in China have more than one train station, and you need to check your right departure train station before heading to departure station.

2. Bring some food and drink
It is wise to buy some food and drink before you head to train station, because it is expensive to buy something around station or on the train. Usually, the eighth carriage is the dinning carriage, sometime different. The food and drinks served are less in varieties and only normal Chinese food.

3. Enter into station for security check and ticket check
When you enter into a train station, you are required to do a security check, just like that in airports, put your luggage on the machine and show your tickets to the conductor. It is not allowed to enter into the station less than 2 hours ( sometimes 1 hour ) before your train departure.

4. Go to the right waiting hall
After entering into the gate, you need to find out which waiting halls you will go to for waiting your train on a large electric train board/ screen. All trains departure today will be listed on the board, incl. Train numbers, departure times, destinations and waiting halls.

5. See the small electric train screen and listen to the broadcast
There is a few small electric train screen, listing train number, departure time and platform number, and you need to find the entrance of your train. Listen to the broadcast carefully, which will tell you the exact information of next train. Please stand in queue when the conductor starts to check the passengers' tickets. Then you will have five munites to walk to the platform.

6. Board your train
Please board the right carriage according to carriage number and seat number on your train ticket.

What you need to know for disembarking?

1. Remember your arrival station and arrival time
If your arrival station is not the terminus of the train, your need to listen to broadcast carefully, which tell the name and arrival time of next station. We strongly advised that you show your ticket to the train staff and ask him or her to remind you to get off. If the train staff can't speak English, please remember this Chinese sentence: "请火车到站前10分钟提醒我准备下车。（Qǐng Huǒchē diǎozhàn qián shí fēnzhōng tíxǐng wǒ zhǔnbèi xià chē.）"

2. Find "Exit" mark or follow the crowd to get out
Remember to hold out your ticket and get your luggage together in advance. After getting off the train, you need to find the "Exit" mark or follow the crowd to get out of the station. At the exit gate, you need to show your ticket again to the conductor, if not, a fine of up to 150% of your ticket price will be charged.

China Train Ticket Policy

Booking Policy

A. Reservation
1. Make sure the passengers' information you fill in the enquiry form are exactly the same as what appear on your passports.
2. Due to different spelling methods of name in various counties, about 50% of passenger's names we receive do not conform to China Railway Policy requirements. We can not help them to buy train tickets.
3. Clear passport scan copy is required to submit to us. If your passport scan is unsatisfactory ( too dark, too light, too small, etc. ), we will ask you for a better one.
4. After you submit your ticket booking order online, our travel expert will get back you within 24 hours.
5. A payment form/ link will be sent to you via the email address provided. Full payment for all tickets is required prior to the issue of the tickets.
6. The train booking information listed on our website is for your reference only. Please pay attention to the ticket information issued by China Railway Authorities as the final confirmation. Beijing Holiday is not responsible for schedule changes.

B. Price & Payment
1. The ticket price online is a net price, which do not include service fee ( often from $5 to $15, may be higher for the train from and to Lhasa ), Paypal processing fee, delivery fee.
2. Our quotation is based on the updated exchange rate between US dollar and RMB yuan.
3. Our payment is available vis PayPal, credit card payment or regular Bank transfer.
4. The transfer fee of 4% charged by PayPal will be added onto the total price.
5. The payment is 100% refundable if we are unable to buy the required ticket.

C. Booking Order Changes
1. All changes must be sent a email to contact@beijingholiday.com ( at least 48 hours before departure )
2. Change request before payment or the issue of ticket, no charge fee.
3. Passengers who choose to get train tickets at train station by themselves, are not accepted, after the issue of the ticket.
4. Passenger who choose to get train tickets at their hotels in the big cities of China, please tell us at least 8 days in advance before the departure date of the train and pay the delivery fee.
5. We get the tickets on behalf of the passengers. The passenger will not allowed to duplicate the collect tickets at train station.

D. Cancellation Refunds
1. Cancellation request before payment or the issue of ticket, 100% refunds.
2. Cancellation request after the issue of ticket or 2 hours before the departure time of your train, 20% of the ticket price will be charged by China Railway Authority, 80% refunds.
3. Cancellation request at 2 hours before the departure time of your train and later, 100% of the ticket price will be charged by China Railway Authority, 0 refunds.

Ticket Lost Policy

1. If you find that you lose your train ticket before you get on the train, you need to the specified ticket windows and register your lost tickets, and then buy a new ticket of the same seat on the same train as the lost ticket. When you get off the train, you can use your new ticket to get a refund for your lost ticket at the arrival station ticket window. About RMB 5 will be charged. Please remember your train number, date, and seat class during your travel time.

2. If you find that you lose your train ticket on the train, try to tell the train staff and make a register, in order to avoid paying a fine when you leave the arrival station.

Baggage Carry-on Policy

1. The maximum baggage for free: 20km for each adult and 10kg for each child; the sum of length, width and heigh can not exceed 160cm ( 130cm on the high-speed train ).